UK economy shrinks 0.3% in April as legal and support services hit by tax and trade pressures
GDP fell 0.3% in April 2025, with sharp declines in legal, real estate, and technical services activity, according to the latest data from the ONS.
Wage and NI hikes accelerate shift to digitalisation in logistics and contract packing
Labour cost increases are fuelling demand for digital tools, as firms seek to offset April’s minimum wage and National Insurance changes.
SMEs plan pay and recruitment freezes as tax rises drive cost pressures – Premium Credit
Research found 26% planned to limit pay rises, while 19% said they would either not replace staff who leave or stop recruiting.
One in five UK professionals now working a second job, says Robert Walters
New research from Robert Walters finds 19% of UK professionals have a side hustle, with 30% considering one due to financial pressure and rising costs.
Wage growth steady but vacancies fall below pre-pandemic levels as hiring slows
ONS labour market data for December to February shows real wage growth and a rising employment rate, but vacancies have dropped for the 33rd consecutive quarter, falling below pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
NI hikes to strain HR budgets and employee benefits, warns GRiD
More than a quarter of HR leaders say rising National Insurance costs will challenge their business, with SMEs hit hardest.
Four in five HR professionals say changes to NI have negatively affected cost management
elementsuite revealed that 80.5% were feeling the pressure from NI changes, particularly in sectors such as retail, real estate and agriculture.
28% of HR practitioners believe NI hikes will pose a significant challenge, GRiD finds
This is as employers brace themselves for hikes in National Insurance contributions (NICs) on 6th April 2025 and the reduction in the threshold at which they are due.
Under half of employers offer salary sacrifice on pensions, research finds
Towergate Employee Benefits found that just 48% of UK businesses offer salary sacrifice for pension contributions, meaning many are losing out on a straightforward way to offset rising employment costs.
Nearly half of SMEs will be negatively impacted by NIC hike, finds Shawbrook
As a result of the NIC hike, a third (33%) of business leaders said they will or already have had to increase the price of the goods or services they are offering.
Employees have under two months to fill gaps in National Insurance records
A minimum of 35 years of NI contributions is required to receive the full State Pension.
Charities warn NICs hike will force essential services for older people to close
Age UK has warned that increased employer NICs will cost local Age UK charities £6.27m annually, forcing staff cuts and service closures for vulnerable older people.
